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As Chairman of Cregagh CC I would like to correct some of the misinformation placed onto the forum by earlier contributors regarding the ineligible sub fielder issue. On Tuesday night when the injury to the Downpatrick player occured Cregagh offered a sub fielder who actually went onto the pitch to help the home team. Downpatrick then decided not to accept the assistance but called on their own sub fielder who was practicing in the nearby nets (why-refuse the assistance: to gain an advantage of course).We were aware that he was an A starred player and pointed this out to at least two of the home team and that he was ineligible to participate.The response was 'that rule doesnt apply '. Are some contributors suggesting that it is the amount of involvement that the fielder has which determines if the rule should apply ie if he doesnt touch the ball it is OK but if a run out or catch occurs then that is unfair? You could apply the same logic to other situations eg unregistered players. I suggest (as has been commented on this forum before) that teams/captains acquaint themselves with the rules. Downpatrick - you broke the rules that is why the NCU took the action that they did.

Mark, good question and in the Derriaghy case that's exactly who sub fielded for CI

Gareth

Thats a bit rich seeing as one of your first team plays under two names, one being "Smith" for the seconds he even had a laugh about it at Saintfield last week. Is "Mr Smith" familiar to you. No one at Saintfield complained because they are not that sort of club.

Why does the NCU get blamed for the rulebook when it is the clubs that set the rules? The NCU administers the rulebook but the clubs set the rules at the AGM. Claiming a match over the status of a sub fielder sucks after having agreed to him in the first place so any club that does that has no sporting spirit at all. However, just a question, how would anyone feel if the sub fielder was the club pro? Would his status matter then?

Before anyone starts talking Derriaghy down, maybe James can give full details of who the fielder was for CI 2nds last year and how he made a big impact on the game

Tatyo I think its a little harsh to say that the name of Cregagh is tarnished. I know it is not a nice way to get/lose points but the rules are the rules. The downpatrick skipper should have known about this when he asked for a sub fielder.

Re. James

I don't think that the NCU can be blamed, the rule has to be there and if a case is presented then they are duty bound to examine it. My issue would be with the club making the complaint if they had given it the go ahead on the field, that is a bit sly to say the least. The issue of sub-fielders is a thorny one certainly, I'm sure folk can recall how unhappy I was with Dundrum's conduct last season on a similar score.

I think Armagh 2nds were a bit suspicious about the eligibility of one of Cregagh 2nds players last Saturday given the amount of different forenames he was called but it is difficult to prove anything like that....

It is pretty sad to hear what lengths some teams will go to get 4 points. Clearly the fielder involved had no impact on the game not that it mattered as both captains agreed to let him field.

And to hear that Derriaghy were involved in a similar situation last year does nothing to promote cricketing ethos throughout the NCU.

Fergs, I think DC has seen you fielding before and knows that is why we have given you the gloves!!

James i dont have a problem with the NCU here well not the people who are applying the rules. The rule is there yes but i think cregagh should be absolutely ashamed of themselves for reporting this to claim the points.

The name of Cregagh Cricket Club has been tarnished and i think its just right that people see on here what levels they will stoop to in order to get points.

What a joke, if that's the level some clubs will stoop to for a result, whats the point in playing in the first place.

What does DC mean "not the wicketkeeper", next time I see you down at training i'll show you how well us wicketkeepers can field!!!

Re Taito

Taito this happened CIYMS 2nds last season when the match was carried forward to the monday night and derriaghy batted. Captains agreed for a 1st XI player to sub field who was watching and took a catch.

CI won the game narrowly only to lose the game when derriaghy complained to the NCU. Its a farce especially when you agreed on the fielder but typical NCU!

that rule is ridiculous!! the sub fielder did not even touch the ball once. if Downpatrick had been trying to improve their chances of winning or cheat in any way they would have picked one of the many first team players who were training that nite...not the wicketkeeper.

i feel sorry for anyone who goes home after a game to read their trusty NCU rule book and find a way to win a game. the sub fielder did nothing to change the outcome of the game as he did not touch the ball at any stage and the Downpatrick team chased down Cregagh's pathetic total in just over 8 overs.

cheers gareth yeah just checked the rules, I have to say that sour grapes comes to mind. Our seconds beat cregagh seconds on tuesday night easily only to lose the points as they had complained about a 1stXI player sub fielding because of an injury to our captain. They agreed at the time to the sub fielder and subsequently complained to the NCU. He fielded for aout 3 overs , not sure if he even touched the ball.

If this is how clubs want to go about winning games it says a lot about the club. Yes technically the rules were broken but what other club would have brought this to the NCU's attention? He hardly affected the result of the game in any way shape or form.

Sad very very sad way to win a game.

Re Taito,

My understanding is that you are correct, a player starred for the 1st XI for example cannot act as a substitute for the 2nd XI and so forth.

billy....

as i see where abouts your located do i detect sour grapes?? indeed....